Author Archives: tanya brown

California Nonprofit Links Near-Retired Farmers With Next Generation

Posted on March 2, 2010 by tanya brown

A nonprofit organization in California wants to ensure the future of family Farming. FarmLink connects aspiring, young farmers with those who are ready to retire, but want the family farm to remain in operation. According to the 2007 USDA census, … Continue reading →

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Quality Acres Sought for 2010 General CRP Signup

Posted on March 2, 2010 by tanya brown

Although details for the 2010 general signup for the Conservation Reserve Program — the first general signup offered in four years — have not been released, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs Lynn Tjeerdsma said one goal of the program … Continue reading →

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USDA Launches Program to Help Farmers Hurt by Import Competition

Posted on March 1, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA launched the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Program today, which will help agricultural producers adjust to challenging economic conditions. "As we work to help rural America recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the Trade Adjustment … Continue reading →

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Applications for Farmers Market Grant Program Now Available

Posted on March 1, 2010 by tanya brown

Applications for a grant program designed to help fund access to healthy nutritious food by improving and expanding domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs and other producer-to-consumer market opportunities, are now available online. The Farmers Market Promotion Program … Continue reading →

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for March

Posted on March 1, 2010 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for March. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.375, unchanged from February, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance … Continue reading →

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USDA Scientists Reveal Process to Produce Clean Energy, Catch Carbon Before it Enters Atmosphere

Posted on March 1, 2010 by tanya brown

Researchers from USDA’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory may have found a way to use biochar — a charcoal-like material produced when biomass is burned under low oxygen conditions so the materials do not combust — as a clean fuel source … Continue reading →

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Biofuels Company Teaches Farmers to Make Clean Energy in Their Backyard

Posted on February 26, 2010 by tanya brown

A North Carolina-based biofuels company is traveling across the United States teaching farmers how to make alternative fuel on their own land. With a mobile trailer stocked with a reactor, wash tank and filter, Piedmont Biofuels walks farmers through the … Continue reading →

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Bee Keepers Learn Importance of FSA Programs

Posted on February 26, 2010 by tanya brown

Representatives from the Farm Service Agency addressed bee keepers in Alabama last week during the Marshall County Bee Keepers monthly association meeting to inform them of programs available through FSA.   Zachary Burns, county executive director and Angela Jones, program … Continue reading →

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Florida Company Turns Manure into Energy

Posted on February 26, 2010 by tanya brown

A Florida bio-energy plant has found a way to process horse manure into renewable energy, organic soil and bio-fertilizer, giving the state’s equine industry an efficient method of disposing of animal waste. The project, funded through the Florida Department of … Continue reading →

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USDA Accepting Applications for Farmers Market Program Grants

Posted on February 26, 2010 by tanya brown

During a visit to The New School in New York City yesterday, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced that USDA is accepting applications for competitive grants from the Farmers Market Promotion Program. About $5 million in grant money has been made available … Continue reading →

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